Florida lands four on Dr. Beach best beach in the U.S. list

According to Stephen 'Dr. Beach' Leatherman's annual survey of United States beaches, these are 12 of the best beaches in Florida.

(Orlando Sentinel)

Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel

The annual list of best beaches in the U.S. has been announced and Florida beaches have taken four of the top 10 spots.

Dr. Beach, aka Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, is the Director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research. The 2014 list is his 24th and the results were announced Thursday ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

The overall winner in this year is Kahanamoku Beach Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii, which placed No. 2 in 2013. Jumping up to No. 2 though from No. 6 is the Sunshine State's Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs on the southwest coast.

"The surf is gentle with waves generally being measured in inches, and the water is very shallow, making this a great beach for bathing and swimming for families," Leatherman said. "The sand is fine and contains many small shells."

Coming in at No. 3 is St. George Island State Park in the Florida panhandle, holding the same spot it did in last year's list.

"The Florida panhandle beaches are known for their powdery, super white sands," Leatherman said. "The sand here is squeaky clean (just rub your feet on the sand and hear it squeak)."

Also holding the same spot as last year is No. 7, Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne.

Leatherman said the beach "provides clear, emerald-colored waters and gentle surf. This fine, white coral sand beach is great for swimming, as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breath-taking view of this beautiful beach."

New to the list from Florida this year is another southwest Florida beach, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples.

Hawaii landed the top beach as well as two others, while Florida had the most with its four. Other states on the list include North Carolina, Massachusetts and South Carolina.

As far as the winner goes, Hawaii's Kanhanamoku Beach is the west end of Waikiki Beach, but away from crowds. Leatherman said "It is widest beach on this stretch of famous sands and protected by an offshore coral reef, making it a good beach for families with children. This is a safe beach with no known drownings."

Leatherman uses 50 criteria to evaluate the beaches including water and sand quality, but also safety

and environmental management. Starting in 2015, more emphasis will be put on the latter, including whether or not a beach has banned smoking. This year's winner along with all beaches on Oahu are nonsmoking beaches as of Jan. 1, 2014.

It now joins the growing list of winners, which will no longer be eligible for future Top 10 lists. Florida beaches had previously taken home the best beach crown seven times: